Fe

Fe Even when the world is at peace, a gentleman always keeps a blade at his side.
-The Strategies of Wu
Beautifully handcrafted knives and leather work.

Fe is a workshop, the space where Cota makes custom knives and leather sheaths (mbcota knives) and dozens of other utilitarian and art pieces. He shares the space with Angela who is learning the art of leather work and has started making belts, sheaths and holsters (broken horn leather pieces). We drink beer, grind metal, shape wood, cut leather and throw darts. Iron is one of the most abundant el

ements in the universe; it is accessible, cheap and strong, making it the most used metal in the world. In alchemy, iron is representative of the planet mars in astrology. Mars was the Roman god of war and bloodshed, whose symbol was a spear and shield (from which its glyph is derived). Both the soil of Mars and the hemoglobin of our blood are rich in iron, because of this they share its distinct red color and have both long been equated with the life-force of the Earth. It is noteworthy that the symbol for iron is also the same symbol for male. Philosophically, iron represents a need to temper primal urges while at the same to embrace the fire within. The knife is man's oldest and most useful tool. Knives can also be objects of great beauty, even when they are meant for purely utilitarian service. Cota believes knives should be built for life and he does his personal best to design each one with simplicity and quality. Knife making teaches patience and dedication, qualities we both hope to continue learning for a long time. For each knife Cota makes, a sheath is custom made to fit. He puts a high value on craftsmanship and all our leather goods are durable and made for the long haul..

"My good reason to carry a knife is that God gave me rather weak teeth and rudimentary claws in an evolutionary trade-of...
11/23/2017

"My good reason to carry a knife is that God gave me rather weak teeth and rudimentary claws in an evolutionary trade-off. The hairy-armed person who figured out how to put an edge on a suitable rock made it possible for us to be recognizably human in the first place. I wear a wristwatch whether or not I have an appointment to keep, and I carry a pen and/or pencil because I am a literate person whether or not I have a specific writing task ahead of me, and I carry a knife because I am a human and not an ape." 🙌

Who knew I could love this many knives with all my heart? ! ♥️ I can't believe all the lil babies sold as soon as I snap...
11/16/2017

Who knew I could love this many knives with all my heart? ! ♥️ I can't believe all the lil babies sold as soon as I snapped this photo. I was hoping to have them in our tow for at least a few days!
It's hard not to brag about my boyfriend (except when he's being the most annoying person on earth 🤣). His skills are as unique and pragmatic as he is. Making knives this beautiful is just crazy.
[Fall 2017 Cota Knives Collection] 🙌

We're still alive, but is this page?! Lol! Back in North Carolina making a batch of Fall 2017 Cota Knives. It's a magica...
10/28/2017

We're still alive, but is this page?! Lol! Back in North Carolina making a batch of Fall 2017 Cota Knives. It's a magical time of year and we're grateful to be here doing what we're doing. Hoping y'all are feeling the love and chasing down that creativity in your lives too.

After a TWO YEAR (crazy! ) hiatus, here's a sample of the Fall 2016 collection... A few more kitchen knives in the mix t...
12/14/2016

After a TWO YEAR (crazy! ) hiatus, here's a sample of the Fall 2016 collection... A few more kitchen knives in the mix this round...

Cota knives have been back in action! We teamed up with friends in North Carolina and built this workspace on their prop...
12/14/2016

Cota knives have been back in action! We teamed up with friends in North Carolina and built this workspace on their property. It's been a sweet stay and some knives got made, but the road beckons again.....
We'll be back!

Sockeye salmon getting smoked and canned with the help of Angela's first Cota knife. The awesome one made out of old den...
07/15/2015

Sockeye salmon getting smoked and canned with the help of Angela's first Cota knife. The awesome one made out of old denim jeans. So much goodness happening up here in Alaska. It's a crazy thing, working in the salmon industry in Alaska in the summer. It's hectic and joyful and life completely revolves around it. It's tiring and rewarding. And each activity and project is made so much easier with sharp and reliable knives! Seriously. We do miss making knives and plans to resurrect the shop are in the making. Living gratefully in the moment and excitedly looking into the future....... Oh yeah.

Two months in Baja and we used our knives everyday. We lived on fresh fish, guacamole and sunshine. You know you had a g...
03/29/2015

Two months in Baja and we used our knives everyday. We lived on fresh fish, guacamole and sunshine. You know you had a good winter when you forget to celebrate the spring equinox because you think it's summer already.

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things,...
01/02/2015

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
― Neil Gaiman

Last call for last minute handmade knife wishes! We are closing shop at the end of the week and embarking on our next big adventure. We will be back in a few months!

Happy New Year, and remember,

If you buy a quality knife, you'll only cry once. ;)

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12/06/2014

Specs: 5/32 thick O-1 steel blade

12/06/2014

I love these, you will too! My boyfriend makes these pendants with the remnants of his knife making materials. Each piece of orange paper laminate and

Kitchen knives :)
10/19/2014

Kitchen knives :)

Stag handle with Buffalo Horn and Brass. Custom knife for Luke from our friend Jason.
09/06/2014

Stag handle with Buffalo Horn and Brass.
Custom knife for Luke from our friend Jason.

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Baker City, OR
97814

Telephone

+15416479622

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